"It just depends on what kind of money they are talking about," Berkman said. "Am I going to come back for a couple of million bucks? No. If they want to pay me close to what I feel like my value is in terms of what I bring to the table, I mean if they're going to ask me to be there and hit third and play every day and DH every day, I want to be compensated like a guy who is a major league three-hole hitter.

"Obviously, I would be willing to take a little bit less because it's my hometown and for the opportunity to get back to the Astros organization. I'm just waiting for them to make some sort offer and go from there."

Astros owner Jim Crane told KRIV that he and Berkman met last week but the team has not offered Berkman a contract. Berkman made $12 million with the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

The call to sign Berkman, Crane said, will ultimately come from general manager Jeff Luhnow with input from new manager Bo Porter.

Luhnow said a decision on Berkman is part of a long list of offseason decisions he must make.

With the Astros moving to the American League in 2013, the switch-hitting Berkman would fit as a DH. He missed most of last season with knee injuries while playing first base for the St. Louis Cardinals. Berkman played in just 32 games, hitting .259 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 81 at-bats.

In 2011, Berkman showed there was plenty of life left in his bat, hitting .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs for the Cardinals.

Berkman was drafted by the Astros and played 12 seasons with the club before being traded to the New York Yankees in 2010.

This fall, he has been working as a volunteer assistant to Rice baseball coach Wayne Graham, who coached Berkman there in the late ’90s. Berkman could return to the program in the spring if he decides not to play.

Berkman said that after working with Graham and the Owls’ players, he’s sure he wants to go into coaching after he retires.